Herbaceous peonies may
bloom for as long as 50 years or longer . Plants should be spaced 3 to 4
feet apart. Most varieties of herbaceous peonies flower for about a
week in late spring to early summer. You can extend the season by by
choosing early, mid- and late-season cultivars.
Tree peonies are actually shrubs and not trees that grow to about 4
ft. tall and wide. They produce woody stems and do not die back to the
ground like herbaceous peonies. Tree peonies have larger flowers
than herbaceous peonies.
Herbaceous peonies need full sun. The best time to
cut flowers for indoor use is in the morning. This is a
peony named Flame.
When transplanting a peony, the best time is in September. The divisions
need 3 to 5 eyes and should not be planted deeper than 1 to 2 inches.
This is a picture of a Sword Dance peony.
Peonies are a garden classic and are beautiful as a cut flower. They are a herbaceous perennial. Peonies can establish themselves into a sizeable clump when left undisturbed. They are available in several colors.
This is a Honey Gold peony.
This is a picture of a Tree Peony in bud.
Flowers are very large and usually require no staking.
Tree peonies are typically grafted so you will want to
plant the graft union 4 to 6 inches below the surface of the soil.
Tree peonies prefer rich, moist, well-drained soils in
partial or dappled shade. The blossoms are huge and come in a wide range
of colors. I believe this is a cultivar named Kaoh.
The name of this beauty is Shimadaijin. Tree peonies
bloom a couple of weeks earlier than herbaceous peonies. Tree
peonies do not require a freeze to bloom, but do need a winter dormancy.
This plant had over 50 blooms the last couple of years.
The Tree Peony will drop it leaves in the Autumn. They
grow into a lovely, rounded shrub as the years go by.
This is an informal hedge of peonies
alongside our front walkway. I have several varieties of peonies
planted together in a row. Even when they are not in flower they
have beautiful foliage.
